BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of November 20, 2007

 

A special meeting was held at 9:50 a.m. on Monday, November 19, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, for the purpose of holding a 2008 budget workshop.  The meeting concluded at 2:20 p.m., with no action taken..

 

The Board met at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present for a staff meeting to discuss various projects and scheduling, and to give updates on attendance at various meetings, with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows, with the exception of item #5 that was removed:

1.      Minutes for week of November 13, 2007.

2.      Special occasion liquor license for American Legion Post 122 for December 1, 8, and 31, 2007.

3.      Reschedule a public hearing, due to a publication error, for 1:30 PM Tuesday, December 4, 2007 to review community development and housing needs, inform citizens of the availability of funds and eligible uses of the state Community Development Block Grant, and receive comments on proposed activities, particularly from low- and moderate-income persons and residing in the areas of Skamania and Klickitat Counties.

4.      Letter to Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council supporting SR-35 Columbia River Crossing Project.

5.      Resolution 2007-47 setting a public hearing for 1:30 PM Tuesday, December 18, 2007 to consider setting 2008 Current Expense and County Road Property Tax Levies and adoption of 2008 Budget.

6.      Interagency agreement with the Dept of General Administration Plant Operations Support Program to provide contract administration for the Hot Springs Avenue Reconstruction Project.

7.      Contract with Mike Beanland to provide an analysis of the sub-meter system at Wind River Business Park.

8.      Agreement with ESRI, Inc for maintenance ArcEditor GIS software.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve an easement agreement with Tim and Michelle O'Leary to allow the County to draw water by helicopter from an artificial lake located on the O'Leary property in Stabler, tax parcel #04-07-23-0-0-0100-00, to assist the County in firefighting efforts.

 

Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on the Rock Creek Slide, surface water above the Slide area, private road standards, snow plowing Forest Service 90 Road, Engineering projects, County Road projects, ER&R, Solid Waste, and Building Department.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on an upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting, proposed clearing and grading ordinance, proposed changes to the zoning ordinance, WRIA 27/28 Instream Flow rule writing, and census address review.

 

Scott Pineo, Recreation and Facilities Director reported on activities for facility use, community education/recreational programming, and the swim pool for the months of September and October 2007.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2007 and reconvened at 11:20 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Ann Lueders, Safety Committee Chair reported on the Safety Committee meeting of November 13, 2007.  The Board reviewed and discussed the following reports:

§         Report #2007-E-17.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations.

§         Report #2007-26.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations.

§         Report #2007-27.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations.

§         Report #2007-E-18.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations.

§         Report #2007-E-19.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2007 and reconvened at 3:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 3:35 p.m. until 3:42 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to discuss the 2008 budget, with no action.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2007 and reconvened at 5:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider adoption of Ordinance 2007-11 amending Skamania County Code Title 12, Chapter 12.03 Private Road Requirements and to consider Resolution 2007-34 adopting Skamania County Road Approach and Private Roads Standards Development Assistance Manual.  Larry Douglass, Public Works Director gave a staff report.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to acknowledge receipt of a letter from Clifford McGuire.  Comments from the public included road classifications, variance process, professional engineering requirement for low use roads, the need to include language for stormwater and grading requirements, road maintenance agreements, right of way concerns, parking strip requirements, road grades, and clerical errors in the text.  The hearing was closed to public comments. Following discussion by the Board of the need for revisions and corrections, Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to not adopt Ordinance 20007-11 or Resolution 2007-34.  The Board advised that after revisions and corrections are made to the Ordinance and Resolution, they would be published on the County website for 30-days for review by the public prior to setting a date for a public hearing.

 

The meeting recessed at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2007 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Piper Road Slide area, and Rock Creek Conveyance, with no action taken.

 

The Board discussed the use of debit cards for elected officials and department heads to be used for travel and supplies.  Kathy McKenzie of Riverview Community Bank provided information regarding debit cards and their use.  The Board was in agreement to obtain debit cards for elected officials and department heads, with the exception of the judges, with a review of the use in six-months.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a voucher to the Department of Retirement Systems in the total amount of $4,334.44.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending November 21, 2007 in the total amount of $1,023.059.18.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss Carson stormwater contract amendment, WRIA 29b opt-out letter, clearing and grading ordinance, and an affordable housing survey, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:05 a.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2007 and reconvened at 11:25 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss the new Search and Rescue building, Courthouse remodel, Rock Creek Community Services building, personnel, and afterschool programs, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2007 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Emergency Management to review the 2007 Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, with no action taken.

 

The Board met with the Sheriff to discuss the emergency management system with both cities, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign a letter to the Department of Ecology regarding the initiation of Watershed Planning in Water Resource Inventory Area 29b.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2007 and reconvened at 3:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board discussed housing issues in Skamania County, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, November 21, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON